Topic: Davington Epicure Toms

[BarriedaleNick]

I just found 4 seeds of Davington Epicure in the seed box. No idea how old they but they must be well over 5 years.  I have just sown them so I'll find out over the next week.

[galina]

5 years is nothing for tomatoes, provided of course they were fresh at the time they were packaged.  From my own saved tomatoes I expect good germination for ten years, sporadic up to 13.  Provided they were kept cool and dry. 

[BarriedaleNick]

Well I have one germinated! Everything else had come up so I was just about to give up but one has popped up! Going to have to look after that one and get some suckers off it - then save seed!

[BarriedaleNick]

One more popped up today! I was just going to chuck them away too.. 17 days to germinate!

[JanG]

Congratulations on your success.

Not a variety I’ve come across. Can you say a bit about what they’re like and how highly you rate them?

[Tiny Clanger]

They should be fine Barriedale Nick.  Most seeds are always worth a try.  Only parsnips and onions are sus. 

[BarriedaleNick]

They are an old variety - nice firm fleshed, sweet, flavoured tomato - I hope they are as good as I remember them!  I was originally given a few seeds from a mate who did some work for an elderly lady and they grew really well in London.  I forgot to save seed and thought they were gone but recently found a few so have sown them in hope.

[JanG]

It’s always nice when a variety has a personal history as well as a public history - someone’s aunt, neighbour, friend etc. I always especially enjoy growing something which has been given, swapped etc.

It sounds like you’ve got your Davington Epicure back.

[Paulh]

There's a very little information if you search on Google, but nearly all of it comes back to some guy on Reddit and here called BarriedaleNick.

[BarriedaleNick]

Yeah I did a search and found - mostly me!

[galina]

I give every old seed at least 3 weeks.  Glad you got two seedlings, much better than just the one.  Good luck with them ongoing Nick.  And hope they turn out as good as you remember in the different climate of Portugal too.